Massachusetts Hears New Legislation to Stop the Casino Train

What is going on in Massachusetts? Remember a few months ago, New Hampshire said “NO” concerning intentions for a casino – then a few days ago a cry for gaming was heard again. In Mass, it was approved in 2011 and now there is a group that says “NO?”

A coalition of gambling opponents is pushing a proposed ballot question that would repeal the law legalizing casino gambling in Massachusetts, after all the money has been paid by the licensees, background checks are still being made and communities have approved many of the casino company offerings. This couldn’t have been done earlier?

The group, which includes Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, says casinos do more harm than good, and has filed the proposed question with the state attorney general’s office on Wednesday, the deadline for submitting questions for the 2014 ballot.

The law authorizing 3 casinos and one slot parlor was put into law in 2011 – now two years later, it’s being questioned? It’s like sending a man to the moon, only having a group in the pentagon say “Oh, I don’t think this is worth it. Have them make a u-turn and come back home”

Activists must collect tens of thousands of signatures to get the measure on the ballot.

In Tewksbury, where there is interest for the one slots-alone facility, there is rising opposition to casinos – specific to Tewksbury and in general. Former State Sen. Susan Tucker slammed the casino industry by saying, ““How many other businesses come into town already promising paid litigation for all the negative impact it’s going to have?“Whatever deals are made today are gonna change tomorrow. Casinos are in trouble all over the northeast,” Tucker insisted. “Everything they promise is gonna go downhill, it’s a racket and it’s going on all over the country… Many communities have said go away… “

Suppose this anti-casino sentiment in Massachusetts grows and the 2011 casino legislation is appealed. Does the Gaming Commission pick up their pads of paper and pencils and tell the casino investors “Sorry guys, you’ll have to go play in some one else’s yard – my parents won’t let you play here any more.”

What happens to the money already invested, you know, the $400,000 each per licensee? I don’t think MGM, for example, will just turn around and go home quietly. Will Massachusetts be able to withstand the litigation and law suits from all these companies?

Ironically, after paying off all these companies by, let’s say 2020, they will need to look for new revenue to off-set those law suits.

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